Syntagma Square/Parliament, Athens

When you visit the city's main square you will find tanding at the top, Parliament, formerly the royal palace, completed in 1838 for the new monarchy. The best feature of the building is the stone's magical change of color from off-white to gold to rosy mauve as the day progresses. Here you can watch the changing of the Evzone guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier -- in front of Parliament on a lower level -- which takes place at intervals throughout the day.

The Greek Parliament building was actually the former Palace of the Kings which was built between 1834-1838. This three-storey building is constructed of pentelic marble and limestone.

In front of the Parliament building lies a monument dedicated to the "Unknown Soldier". The monument is guarded, day and night, by the Evzones.

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In 1843, the current House of Parliament (also known as Vouli) was built. It used to be the palace for the imported and very impopular King Otto Wittlesback. He was 17 years old, German and son of Ludwig von Bayern.

Due to a lack of money of the king, architect Friedrich von Gartner, started to complain that the building wasn´t as beautiful as he planned it to be. He had planned lots of decorations on the walls and the roof. But because of this reason the palace stayed the way it is now: a straight, solemn building.

The palace had 365 rooms and only one bathroom. This was covered by weeds and cockroaches, so it wasn´t really a nice place to live in. The palace was abandoned soon.

In 1910 the building was adapted to become the House of Parliament for the new Greek government. Today it still has this function: it shelters the National Meetinghall, the archives and lots of services and offices.

In front of the Parliament you´ll find the Grave of the Unknown Soldier.

We were a little disappointed by the square, as most of the middle was blocked off. Granted, I'm sure they were getting prepared for the Christmas Market, so what did we expect visiting in early December. The square was still bustling with activity and it was nice to sit and enjoy a couple beers watching the traffic go by, while being amazed we didn't see a number of accidents. It was also a good point to catch the different trains and to start the walk to the Monastiraki area.

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This is fun although you have to be sure you can handle Alfred Hitchcock.
These birds must be the best fed in the world, just buy a bag of bird food for EUR 1,00 and they will come to you... hold some in your hand and they will fly onto your amrs and head.... after some starting problems Emily very much enjoyed this and with a heroic look on her face accepted the fact that the doves´ feet and claws left scratches on her arms.

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The Syntagma Square has a broad sloping area which has in its upper reaches the former Royal Palace, now called the Parliament Building. Below this is a parade ground containing the Unknown Solider. Here a pair of soldiers stand on guard dressed in the typical Evzones dress. These National Guards are changed each hour. On Sunday at 11AM there is a changing of the Guard ceremony as well. The secod part of the square continues below the metro. There is a memorial statue and fountains at the upper edge while the large square is surrounded by staid benches which are minimally used. Before 2000, the area was covered by outdoor cafes with lounge chairs at which to drink and eat.. The good old days are gone. On the north side of the square are the ancient fine hotels, the King George and the Grande Bretagne. The south and east side of the square are occupied by commercial buildings and their busy streets of traffic.

Syntagma Square, also known as the Square of the Constitution, is the heart of Athens. You can´t miss it while you´re on a trip through the city. There are three subway-entrances, the major shopping street Odos Ermou passes the square and on of the biggest attractions of the city, the changing of the guards, is at the top of Syntagma.

The top of Syntagma Square is dominated by the Parliament. The big building covers the full width of the square. In front you´ll see the changing of the guards.

In the middle piece of the square, there is a the nice, quiet part of Syntagma. Trees, grass, lots of benches, made of beautiful white marble and a nice gentil fountain, gives you a peacefull feeling in the middle of such a chaotic city.

And at the bottom of Syntagma the chaos of Athens starts. Cars drives madly across eachother, thousands of people moves like ants through the streets, banks and McDonald´s are trying to get full attention by the neon-lightning, and the Odos Ermou, full of modern shops is right there, pulling people in.

Syntagma is the perfect start for your tour through Athens. Culture, peacefullness and chaos at one point, together in harmony, that is Athens...

Just to the northeast of the Plaka and right across the street from Syntagma Square is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Its location right doesn't make it the most peaceful place in Athens, but it is conveniently located within walking distance of the city's major attractions and therefore should not be missed. Try to go when the changing of the guard takes place so you can witness this interesting ceremony. I just love the guys in their off-white mini’s.